Racial And Ethnic Harassment Lawsuit

On April 16, 2009, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (”EEOC”) announced that the federal agency settled a harassment lawsuit against a national department store on behalf of ten (10) former employees.  See, http://www.eeoc.gov/press/4-16-09a.html .  According to the Press Release, the EEOC had charged that the department store manager harassed Hispanic and Black employees based on their national origin, race and color, and retaliated against those who complained about the harassment.  The EEOC Press Release stated further that an alterations department manager complained that she “hate[d] Hispanics,” and that Hispanics were “lazy” and “ignorant” and that Hispanic tailors were chastised by the same alterations manager for speaking to each other in Spanish.  In addition, the Press Release referred to allegations that the same manager made other derogatory remarks such as “I don’t like blacks” and “you’re black, you stink.”  Moreover, the EEOC reported in the Press Release that the employees complained to the company about the harassment, but the harassment did not stop, and the alterations manager retaliated against those who complained by continuing the racially offensive comments, unfairly berating employees and citing them for alleged performance problems.

Whether racial and national origin discrimination in the workplace occurs in San Antonio, San Marcos or elsewhere, victims of employment related racial and national origin discrimination may contact the EEOC and an attorney to determine if a racial and national origin lawsuit may ultimately be appropriate under the particular facts and circumstances of the potential case.